In short, the article Do Global Clients need Sustainability Strategy today? on Triple Pundit suggests that sustainability advocates should use the openings offered by the need for cost saving and improvments in managing risks to get companies on the sustainability train, but to not overdo it:

[W]hat are some of the key concepts to consider when developing and promoting sustainability solutions today?

• Pick ‘tactical’ sustainability projects which may be an oxymoron… such as strategies for maximizing the efficiencies of existing systems, buildings, and assets.
• You should articulate an accelerated ROI for your clients, but provide a ‘platform’ technology based or process based to allow your client to leverage incremental successes over time across his / her enterprise
• Assessment and benchmarking: executives place a high value on validation of industry trends and insights.